Accelerating a Bike and Rider: Calculating Mass
What data is given for calculating the mass of the bike and rider?
A net force of 225 N accelerates a bike and rider at 2.2 m/s².
How can we determine the mass of the bike and rider?
We can calculate the mass by dividing the net force by the acceleration.
Calculating the Mass of the Bike and Rider
The mass of the bike and rider can be calculated by dividing the net force (225 N) by the acceleration (2.2 m/s²).
Reflecting on the scenario where a net force of 225 N accelerates a bike and rider at 2.2 m/s² leads us to explore the concept of mass in physics. When faced with such a problem, Newton's second law of motion comes into play.
Newton's second law of motion states that the net force acting on an object is equal to the product of its mass and acceleration (F = ma). In this case, the net force acting on the bike and rider is given as 225 N, and the acceleration is 2.2 m/s². By rearranging the equation, we can solve for the mass (m) of the bike and rider by dividing the net force by the acceleration: m = F/a.
Therefore, dividing 225 N by 2.2 m/s² gives us the mass of the bike and rider. This resulting mass represents the combined mass of both the bike and the rider as they accelerate together.
Understanding how to calculate the mass in such scenarios helps us grasp the relationship between force, acceleration, and mass in the realm of physics.